University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Sarah Boekholder
Five Blue Hens Awarded NFHCA All-Region Honors
6/1/2021 4:41:00 PM | Field Hockey
BROCKPORT, N.Y. – Five Delaware field hockey student-athletes were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Mid-Atlantic All-Region teams, announced by the association on Tuesday afternoon.
Senior Femke Strien, sophomore Ashlyn Carr, and freshman Julia Duffhuis were named to the First Team, while junior Grace Hoepfner and freshman Berber Bakermans were awarded Second Team honors.
"I am so excited for our five Blue Hen student-athletes recognized by the NFHCA today as members of our Mid-Atlantic Region Teams," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof, "They have all been great teammates and have become go-to players and team leaders. They remain excited and humble to contribute to the success of our program, in any way, and the best part is that all five of them are coming back next year! I am very proud of these student-athletes and our entire Delaware Field Hockey team for how we have faced, worked through and overcome this pandemic together. These honorees have been instrumental in our program winning its seventh CAA Conference Tournament Championships in just an 8 year span and allowing this team to represent the University of Delaware in the NCAA Tournament again."
Femke Strien – First Team
This marks Strien's second appearance on the NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region First Team. This year's CAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Strien finished the year with three goals and five assists for eleven points. Strien earned two CAA Player of the Week awards and was named to the All-CAA First Team this season.
"Femke did it again and allowed her performance to speak for itself, even though she was not able to compete in all our games this spring," commented van de Kerkhof, "She led our attack in the offensive output and was strong in our defensive organization. The Blue Hens are excited to welcome her back for another season!"
Ashlyn Carr – First Team
This is also Carr's second appearance on the All-Region First Team. She led the team with 13 points this season with seven assists and three goals. Her seven assists, tied with senior Emily Kresho, led the team this season. Carr was also named to the All-CAA First Team this spring.
"After an outstanding freshman season, Ashlyn took another step forward in her on-field performance this year and helped elevate the performances of those around her," said van de Kerkhof, "The experience and growth during this entire year will help her succeed as a member of the U21 USA National Team and the Blue Hens next season."
Julia Duffhuis – First Team
Duffhuis was tabbed the 2020 CAA Rookie of the Year, she led the Blue Hens with five goals in her freshman campaign while ranking third on the team with ten points. She also ranked third in the CAA in goals per game (0.57) and scored a goal in three straight contests to end the regular season. Duffhuis was awarded CAA Rookie of the Week on April 20, All-CAA Second Team and All-CAA Rookie Team.
"Just a freshman, but already making a stand for herself through her performance and desire to be the best she can be," commented van de Kerkhof, "Julia has grown in her overall field performance and with help from Associate Head Coach Jordan McKee, she has further improved her corner drag-flick. Julia has displayed excellent leadership and will be in the position to become more of a natural leader for our team next season."
Berber Bakermans – Second Team
Bakermans' started all ten games of her freshman campaign, concluding the season with six points from one goal and four assists. Bakerman's was also named to the All-CAA Rookie Team and the 2020 CAA All-Tournament Team.
"Another freshman, but one who was able to start playing like a sophomore by the middle of our season," commented van de Kerkhof, "Berber had a great development cycle and was able to step up when we needed her to and was confident in herself to help this team perform better. She shared with her coaches that she had so much fun this past year, so this being her first year, we can only imagine how much more fun she will have moving forward with the Blue Hens."
Grace Hoepfner – Second Team
Hoepfner finished her junior campaign with four goals and one assist for nine points, she also tallied one defensive save. Hoepfner started all ten games this season and was named to the 2020 CAA All-Tournament Team and finished the season third on the team in minutes played.
"Grace understands the meaning of committing to something and going all out to earn it," said van de Kerkhof, "She has grown so much every year, as a person and player, and for her to be recognized by the NFHCA is not only an honor for her and our program, but it reiterates the importance of committing to something, seeing it through, putting in the extra time, asking for help and the importance of celebrating the small victories along the way."
For the latest on the Delaware field hockey program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFH and Instagram @Delaware_FH.
Senior Femke Strien, sophomore Ashlyn Carr, and freshman Julia Duffhuis were named to the First Team, while junior Grace Hoepfner and freshman Berber Bakermans were awarded Second Team honors.
"I am so excited for our five Blue Hen student-athletes recognized by the NFHCA today as members of our Mid-Atlantic Region Teams," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof, "They have all been great teammates and have become go-to players and team leaders. They remain excited and humble to contribute to the success of our program, in any way, and the best part is that all five of them are coming back next year! I am very proud of these student-athletes and our entire Delaware Field Hockey team for how we have faced, worked through and overcome this pandemic together. These honorees have been instrumental in our program winning its seventh CAA Conference Tournament Championships in just an 8 year span and allowing this team to represent the University of Delaware in the NCAA Tournament again."
Femke Strien – First Team
This marks Strien's second appearance on the NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region First Team. This year's CAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Strien finished the year with three goals and five assists for eleven points. Strien earned two CAA Player of the Week awards and was named to the All-CAA First Team this season.
"Femke did it again and allowed her performance to speak for itself, even though she was not able to compete in all our games this spring," commented van de Kerkhof, "She led our attack in the offensive output and was strong in our defensive organization. The Blue Hens are excited to welcome her back for another season!"
Ashlyn Carr – First Team
This is also Carr's second appearance on the All-Region First Team. She led the team with 13 points this season with seven assists and three goals. Her seven assists, tied with senior Emily Kresho, led the team this season. Carr was also named to the All-CAA First Team this spring.
"After an outstanding freshman season, Ashlyn took another step forward in her on-field performance this year and helped elevate the performances of those around her," said van de Kerkhof, "The experience and growth during this entire year will help her succeed as a member of the U21 USA National Team and the Blue Hens next season."
Julia Duffhuis – First Team
Duffhuis was tabbed the 2020 CAA Rookie of the Year, she led the Blue Hens with five goals in her freshman campaign while ranking third on the team with ten points. She also ranked third in the CAA in goals per game (0.57) and scored a goal in three straight contests to end the regular season. Duffhuis was awarded CAA Rookie of the Week on April 20, All-CAA Second Team and All-CAA Rookie Team.
"Just a freshman, but already making a stand for herself through her performance and desire to be the best she can be," commented van de Kerkhof, "Julia has grown in her overall field performance and with help from Associate Head Coach Jordan McKee, she has further improved her corner drag-flick. Julia has displayed excellent leadership and will be in the position to become more of a natural leader for our team next season."
Berber Bakermans – Second Team
Bakermans' started all ten games of her freshman campaign, concluding the season with six points from one goal and four assists. Bakerman's was also named to the All-CAA Rookie Team and the 2020 CAA All-Tournament Team.
"Another freshman, but one who was able to start playing like a sophomore by the middle of our season," commented van de Kerkhof, "Berber had a great development cycle and was able to step up when we needed her to and was confident in herself to help this team perform better. She shared with her coaches that she had so much fun this past year, so this being her first year, we can only imagine how much more fun she will have moving forward with the Blue Hens."
Grace Hoepfner – Second Team
Hoepfner finished her junior campaign with four goals and one assist for nine points, she also tallied one defensive save. Hoepfner started all ten games this season and was named to the 2020 CAA All-Tournament Team and finished the season third on the team in minutes played.
"Grace understands the meaning of committing to something and going all out to earn it," said van de Kerkhof, "She has grown so much every year, as a person and player, and for her to be recognized by the NFHCA is not only an honor for her and our program, but it reiterates the importance of committing to something, seeing it through, putting in the extra time, asking for help and the importance of celebrating the small victories along the way."
For the latest on the Delaware field hockey program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFH and Instagram @Delaware_FH.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
B
/ Field Hockey
B
/ Field Hockey
B
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field HockeyField Hockey vs Lafayette
Monday, October 27
Field Hockey vs American
Tuesday, October 21
Field Hockey vs Old Dominion
Tuesday, October 14
Field Hockey vs Ohio State
Tuesday, September 23
